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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission - 07/14/2025APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION MONDAY, JULY 14, 2025 7:00 PM—CITY CENTER Council Chambers 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: John Kirk, Frank Sherwood, Andrew Pieper, Ed Farr, Trisha Duncan, Robert Taylor, Dan Grote, Charles Weber; Phou Sivilay CITY STAFF: Jeremy Barnhart, City Planner; Carter Shulze, City Engineer; Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager; Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER Vice Chair Duncan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – ROLL CALL Commission member Pieper, Sherwood, Kirk, and Weber were absent. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Taylor moved, seconded by Farr to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. IV. MINUTES MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Taylor to approve the minutes of June 23, 2025 amended to clarify the word “the” on page three to “there” (Item V). MOTION CARRIED 5-0. V. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. ASPEN ESTATES ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY CARE (2025-04) • Zoning District Change from I-2 to RM-2.5 on 0.908 acres and from Rural to RM-2.5 on 0.199 acres • Preliminary Plat to combine two parcels into one lot on 1.1 acres • Site Plan Review on 1.1 acres PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES July 14, 2025 Page 2 Bill Welch displayed a PowerPoint and detailed the application. This would be a locked-down assisted living and memory care facility to prevent any (rare) wandering by the residents. This facility would offer a higher level of care with a resident-to-staff ratio (1:5). The concept was to have the residents living mostly in the living room and kitchen, rather than in isolated rooms. Welch displayed exterior views of the single-level, 11,000 square foot facility. The materials would be hardy board and white stone. An exterior circular walking path and an interior walking track would be provided, along with raised planters in back, shaded areas, and back exterior garbage. Resident rooms would have their own heat and air conditioning via individual thermostats. There would also be tiled bathrooms and showers. The site would offer nine parking spots and one garage spot. The site was located north of TGK Auto and east of Caliber Collision on Aztec Drive. There was residential to the east and to the north, single-level office suites. Welch displayed the preliminary plat and explained the project was combining two lots. He displayed the site plan and stated the project would add sidewalk along the west side of the property. There would be a stormwater holding pond on the west side of the property. Welch displayed the landscaping plan showing the tree planting and the entire line of shrubs to be added at the request of neighboring homeowners. Welch stated he had notified 60 neighbors, and one couple attended the public meeting. They were very supportive. Welch added he had met with the HOA President who also notified neighbors and very supportive as well. Taylor asked for and received confirmation there would be physical therapy in addition to the amenities listed. Welch stated a variety of therapies and approaches would be used, including mental and physical therapies and exercise programs. He envisioned the facility as a landing spot for outside services, such as the Blue Stone organization, which would visit on site. In addition, there would be a full-time, 24/7 on-site nurse, LPNs, and other staff. Sivilay asked if the units could accommodate two residents, rather than one resident. Welch replied there would be 13 single units and two double-occupancy units. Sivilay asked how many staff there would be and if the families visiting would have to park on street. Welch replied there would be 25-30 rotating staff (some full time, some part time) and never more than six staff onsite at one time: three caregivers, the chef, a licensed administrator, and the nurse. Barnhart presented the staff report. The application asked for a single-story 15- unit assisted living facility with 13 single-occupancy rooms and two rooms offering double occupancy. The Zoning Ordinance change was consistent with the PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES July 14, 2025 Page 3 Comprehensive Plan. There would be no connection to the residential neighborhoods to the west and the northeast. The building materials employed would be stone, glass, and fiber cement and wood trim, and also met the Zoning Code. The development met the Zoning Code, and no waivers were requested. The density, landscaping and setbacks were in compliance and the parking exceeded the parking requirement. (The garage space parking had not been counted as parking.) Visitors could park on Aztec Drive for parties, holidays, and other visits. Staff recommended approval. Farr asked for and received confirmation the building had a sprinkler system and that the Fire Department approved of the access. Barnhart replied staff collaborated closely with the Fire Department. Farr asked if the line of shrubs was an extra, voluntary buffer. Barnhart replied the city always looks for a maximum amount of screening in these infill projects. The applicant added a row of shrubs to facilitate this. MOTION: Grote moved, seconded by Taylor to close the public hearing. Motion carried 5-0. Farr stated this project was a great infill opportunity and commended the architect’s work. Sivilay concurred, saying the development blended in well with the rest of the neighborhood. Taylor complimented the scale of the facility which would provide more personal care. Duncan agreed with these comments. MOTION: Farr moved, seconded by Grote to recommend approval of the Planned Unit Zoning District Change from I-2 to RM-2.5 on 0.908 acres and from Rural to RM-2.5 on 0.199 acres; Preliminary Plat to combine two parcels into one lot on 1.1 acres; and Site Plan Review on 1.1 acres as recommended by the staff report dated July 14, 2025. Motion carried 5-0. PLANNERS’ REPORT MEMBERS’ REPORTS VI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Taylor moved, seconded by Grote to adjourn. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.